dining out for life - The Aliveness Project

Serving Our HIV/AIDS Community Since 1985 May/June 2010 Vol. 20, Issue 3
DINING OUT FOR LIFE
This year’s Dining Out for Life on
April 29 was a wonderful success!
THANK YOU to our 157 restaurants,
19 sponsors, over 400 ambassadors
and other volunteers, and the thousands of diners
who participated. Our goal was to raise $130,000
(14% of our annual budget!), so check our website
for an update of the total amount raised.
FOOD SHELF MAKES A
POSITIVE IMPACT
During March for FoodShare Month, we asked our
members to complete a survey about the benefits
of our Food Shelf. Here are some of the comments
they shared:
• “(The food) helps me maintain weight and eat
healthy foods.”
• “Keeping up my weight and helps me take my meds.”
• “The food allows me to eat at home when I am
not eating at Aliveness—and a major savings in
groceries every month!”
• “They always have friendly staff who help get
their clients’ needs met.”
• “I can afford to pay my bills because I am not
spending money on this food.”
Many members’ surveys also told us that without our
Food Shelf (and Meal Program) they would go hungry
or have less to eat. All of these comments show that
our food services have a major impact on the daily
lives of people living with HIV/AIDS.
QUORUM LEADERSHIP AWARD
I am pleased to announce
that Quorum, the Twin
Cities’ GLBT and Allied
Chamber of Commerce,
has awarded the 2010
Non-Profit of the Year
Award to The Aliveness
Project. This award
recognizes The Aliveness
Project’s leadership
role in our community and the wonderful work of
our staff, board, volunteers and members in
providing services for those living with HIV/AIDS.
I am so proud to work for an organization that
does so much for those in need!
continued on page 2…
3 Capital Campaign Event
Hosted by Whelihan Fine Arts and House of Hennig.
4 Volunteer Appreciation
We couldn’t meet our goals without you!
11 The Minnesota Work Incentives Connection
Important work-related information.
• “Helps me get by and offers the chance to know
that I will be able to have food.”
In Living
Memory…
continued from page 1…
PRIDE EVENTS
We will be involved in a number of activities as part of this year’s GLBT
Pride event, during the weekend of June 26-27. Many of you have
probably visited our booth in Loring Park and played our spin-the-wheel
game. Be sure to stop by and win a prize! This year, we will have a
group in the Parade on Sunday. Also, Lavender Magazine is hosting
a special event benefiting The Aliveness Project on Sunday, June 27.
Lavender’s Pride Central will include brunch and parade viewing at
Seven Steakhouse roof-top lounge (for more details, see page 5).
Jeffrey B.
departed this life
October 31, 2009
Lonny R.
departed this life
November 5, 2009
Jose R.
departed this life
November 24, 2009
RED RIBBON RIDE
The Red Ribbon Ride is taking place July 15-18. Now’s the time to
sign up as part of Team Aliveness to ride or be a crew member!
Last year, the Ride raised over $484,000 and 81% of the funds were
given to the benefiting agencies (which is an excellent return for fundraising events)! To register or make a donation for Team Aliveness,
visit www.redribbonride.org.
Lewis W.
departed this life
December 25, 2009
Victor D.
departed this life
March 1, 2010
Sarah S.
– Joe Larson
Executive Director
departed this life
April 22, 2010
The Aliveness Project
Board of Directors
Daniel Cashman
Deb Cohen, Vice President
Max Fallek
Jeffrey Farnsworth
Brennan Hannon
Randy Hornstine, President
Joe Larson
Brian LaMere, Secretary
Michael Oian, MAC President
Barbara Satin
Scott Schlaffman
Robert Shaw
Barbara Smith
David Welper
Membership Advisory Committee
Kenneth Adams
Joseph Behr
Pam Benson
Daniel Cashman
Tom Genty
Jeff Guckeen
Miles Hamlin
Kristi Holthus
Rob Kacheroski
Kim Langness
Roger Moore
Michael Oian, MAC President
Darin Olson
Otis Reeves
Derrick Revies
Tedd Richardson, Vice President
2
Curtis Shelmon
Scott Schlaffman, Secretary
Derrill Sowada
Staff
Darin Olson
Health & Wellness Peer Educator
Dan Capelli
Food Shelf Director
Sean Divine
Director of Food Services
Hanna Dorn
Receptionist
Dan Gerard
Cook
Walter Gies
HIV Case Manager
Jennifer Gunderson
Gaming Coordinator
Donovan Harmel
Kitchen Assistant
Johnny Herda-Anzaldo
Director of Membership Services
Leah Johnson
Grant Writer
Saundra Johnson
Health & Wellness Program Coordinator
Joe Larson
Executive Director
612-824-LIFE (5433)
Tim Marburger
Director of Fundraising & Special Events
James Mattson
Food Shelf Assistant
Esther Mendez
Kitchen Assistant
Frank Mlakar
Kitchen Assistant
Stephanie Shaw
Office Manager
Lee Silverstein
Accountant
Monica Travis
Director of Volunteer Services
Cathy VanValkenburgh
Membership Services Program Assistant
The Aliveline
is a bi-monthly publication of The Aliveness Project,
Inc. The Aliveness Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
organization, founded in 1985 as a membership
organization for individuals living with HIV/AIDS.
This newsletter may report on experimental and other
therapies; however, The Aliveness Project does not
recommend any particular therapy. Please consult with
your medical provider before trying any new
treatment. Views and opinions expressed in this
publication are those of the contributing authors and
are not necessarily those of The Aliveness Project.
The Aliveline
Whelihan Fine Arts and House of Hennig
Host Capital Campaign Event
In February Anthony Whelihan (Whelihan Fine
Arts) and Tim Henning (House of Henning) hosted
an evening to introduce The Aliveness Project and
its Capital Campaign. Over 80 people enjoyed an
evening of conversation, a program about the work
of The Aliveness Project and speakers. The House
of Hennig provided an exquisite buffet of foods and
beverages. Thank you to Anthony Whelihan and his
partner, Tim Henning for a stunning evening
As many of you know, we have purchased a
new building at 3808 Nicollet Avenue S. and are
hoping to be in the new building by early fall. At
this writing, we have raised $530,000 toward our
goal of $2.25 million. We have an excellent Capital
Campaign committee made up of community
leaders and people interested in the work of The
Aliveness Project.
The committee is as follows:
Daniel Boyer, Ameriprise
Financial, Co-chair
Elizabeth Glidden,
Minneapolis City Council
member, Co-chair
Scott Benson, Attorney
Karl Cambronne, President,
Chestnut & Cambronne, P.A.
Jay Miller, Imagehaus
Amy Ruzick, RE-MAX
Realtors
Mayor R.T. Rybak
Scott Schlaffman, Board
Member, The Aliveness
Project
David Hancox, Metropolitan
Center for Independent Living
Rick Stafford, Former State
Chairperson of the Minnesota
DFL Party
Randy Hornstine, President of
The Aliveness Project Board
Sven Sundgaard, KARE 11
meteorologist
Kay Johnson, RE-MAX
Realtors
Eric Tollefson, Wells Fargo
Brokerage Technology
Joe Kaplan, Owner, Joe’s
Garage
Dr. John Vener
Brian LaMere, Wells Fargo
Small Business Administration
Anthony Whelihan, Whelihan
Fine Art
George Latimer, Macalester
College
Joe A. Larson, Executive
Director of The Aliveness
Project
Julie Madden, Peace &
Justice Ministries, St. Joan
of Arc
Tim Marburger, Director of
Fundraising & Special Events,
The Aliveness Project
If you have any questions about our campaign or would like to make a donation, please contact Joe Larson,
Executive Director at 612-822-7946, extension 201.
The Aliveline
www.aliveness.org
3
THANK YOU,
Dining Out for
Life Volunteers!
As of press time for this newsletter we have had a record
number of volunteer Ambassadors trained and ready for
Dining Out for Life. Thank you! I’m sure the day will have
gone fantastically—full of sunshine, patios, butterflies, lilacs
and lots of good food and laughs. Thank you to our amazing
volunteers. This event, quite literally, could not happen
without you!
Who are our Ambassadors? Everyone from our Board of
Directors to inspired high school students, from co-workers
on a long-lunch break to parent and child combos make up
our Ambassador crews which this year broke a record of
being nearly 400 people strong. In addition to Ambassadors,
we had the highest number of people ever involved with
our Visibility Campaign all over town—from outside the
new Twins stadium, to shopping districts, to concert
halls and even just walking the chain of lakes. Sven, our
spokesperson, even jumped in to help out! You could not
miss our visibility campaign volunteers in their red aprons
and chef hats!
Thanks, too, to the many volunteers who put up posters,
spoke about the event in their circles, spread the word
on Facebook and assembled the bags of materials for
restaurants and Ambassadors (we used over 700 grocery
bags!) There were so many ways to get involved and
hundreds of you did so. Way to go!
spin-the-wheel game. Volunteers are needed with their
best carnival-barker persona to get people to “step right
up, spin the wheel!” Shifts will be about three hours long
on both Saturday and Sunday. Lastly, we will again be the
beneficiary of the Pride Parade brunch and viewing party—
this year happening at on the rooftop of Seven Steakhouse.
It will again be THE place to see and be seen and to
celebrate Pride! Either join us as an attendee, or we will also
need a few volunteers for this swank event.
25th Anniversary
I certainly don’t want to rush the summer months, but do
know that once the now-budding leaves begin to fall, we will
be looking to honor our 25 years of service to the community
and our upcoming move into the new building. We are still
putting together details, but certainly volunteers will be
involved. Keep your eyes peeled for details and check our
website for updates as the summer progresses. Thanks
everyone!
Volunteer Recognition,
February 25
Check out the exciting pictures from the Volunteer
Recognition at The Heights Theatre. Everyone had a great
time, won prizes and enjoyed the movie and food. Thank you
volunteers!
Summer Volunteer
Opportunities
As we gear up for the change in seasons, there will be
summer openings in some program areas. Do you know
a student who would like to help out in the food shelf or a
research project related to finding more restaurants for next
year’s Dining Out for Life? How about helping out in the
kitchen once a week for lunch? Students should be at least
16 years old (or turning 16 this summer) for most tasks.
Pride Events
The Aliveness Project will have a great presence at Twin
Cities Pride this year in honor of our 25th year of service
to the community! Want to get involved? We will have a
unit in the Sunday morning parade consisting of a fancy
car surrounded by Team Aliveness Red Ribbon Riders and
folks walking. We also will have our well-loved, carnivalthemed booth in the southeast corner of the park with our
4
612-824-LIFE (5433)
The Aliveline
6th Annual Lavender’s
Pride Central
Featuring Bitch ‘N Brunch Benefiting
The Aliveness Project
Sunday, June 27, 2010
10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Rooftop lounge —
Seven Steakhouse •
Minneapolis
Stephanie Shaw,
Office Manager
Stephanie, one of our newest staff members, comes
to us from the corporate world, where she worked
in the insurance industry for over 26 years before
joining us. A graduate of Graceland University,
Stephanie holds licensure to teach English in both
Minnesota and Wisconsin.
She has long had a special place in her heart
for organizations that do good work in their
communities; particularly those who serve the HIV/
AIDS community. Through her involvement as a
cyclist/fund-raiser in the Red Ribbon Ride for three
consecutive years, she became acquainted with The
Aliveness Project and the work that we do. She is
enthusiastic and proud to be a part of The Aliveness
Project staff.
In her spare time, Stephanie likes to ride her bike
through the rolling Wisconsin countryside (she lives
over the border), go for long morning walks with
Bowser (her chocolate lab), relax on a pontoon boat
with her partner Barb in the summertime, and bake
cookies and other treats for her four (soon five)
grandkids.
Overview
Join our hostess, locally renowned drag
personality, Bitch Flowers, for the one
and only Lavender Pride Central at our
new home, the rooftop lounge of Seven
Steakhouse. An overflow crowd will
watch the Pride parade from the most
spectacular location along the parade
route. Centrally located on the parade
route, Pride Central attendees enjoy a
first-class brunch, complimentary gift bags,
prize drawings, and the best view of the
GLBT pride parade.
Ticket Prices
Prepaid
$25 includes brunch and admission to
parade viewing.
$10 includes admission to parade
viewing only.
At The Door
$30 includes brunch and admission to
parade viewing.
$10 includes admission to parade
viewing only.
Purchase your tickets early at
www.aliveness.org
The Aliveline
www.aliveness.org
5
Food Shelf News
Thank you to everyone who donated food or
money, helped with our food drives, helped us
weigh food and fill the shelves in our Food Shelf,
or helped in any other way to make The Minnesota
March FoodShare Campaign a success! There
are just too many of you for me to fit in this limited
space, but you know who you are. Kudos to all
volunteers and staff who made the 2010 Campaign
a huge success!
Our food drive at The Wedge Community
Co-op raised $560 and 1,360 pounds of food.
Overall for the March Campaign, we received
$4,358.17 and 2,210 pounds in donations. Very
impressive! Our goal this year was $3,500 and
3,500 pounds. We came out a bit short on food
but made up for that with cash donations. Thanks
so much to The Wedge for letting us hold the drive
there and to everyone who participated. We will
most likely be doing another food drive at The
Wedge in June—so if you want to help, please
contact Monica or me about it in late May or
early June.
It was a good March for The Aliveness Project’s
Food Shelf, but remember that the food goes out
almost as fast as it comes in, so please keep the
food and dollars coming! Also, thanks to all of the
folks who keep recycling their tall, handle paper
bags to the Food Shelf. Please keep bringing
them in!
– Dan Capelli, Food Shelf Director
ANNUAL MEETING
The 2010 Annual Meeting for The Aliveness Project is scheduled for Tuesday, May
25 at 6:30 p.m. At this meeting, we will elect new members of the Membership
Advisory Committee and Board of Directors. In addition, Joe Larson, our
Executive Director, will present our 2009 annual report.
6
612-824-LIFE (5433)
The Aliveline
Saundra Johnson,
Health & Wellness Coordinator
Hi! I’m Saundra Johnson, the new Health and
Wellness Coordinator here at the Aliveness
Project. Though Chicago will always be my home
town, I consider myself a citizen of the U.S. at
large. I have lived in Albuquerque, Seattle, New
York, Fort Lauderdale and now Minneapolis.
I can’t believe it’s already springtime. It’s time
to pump up your bicycle tires and commit to
participating in the Red Ribbon Ride. This
year’s ride will be July 15-18. We’re riding
nearly 300 miles in 4 days (Rochester and
back) to raise money for eight AIDS service
organizations including The Aliveness Project.
It’s an amazing experience, so if you’ve ever
thought you might ride sometime, make this the
year! Team Aliveness will be back and stronger
than ever, particularly if YOU join us. Even if
you don’t feel up for riding, you can participate
by volunteering to crew. Contact Sean at the
Aliveness kitchen if you have any questions.
The Aliveline
I have 22 years experience working in HIV/AIDS
as an activist, volunteer, case manager and
health educator. As Coordinator of Health and
Wellness, I hope to facilitate programming that
is both educational and enjoyable. Future events
include a stop smoking series, report backs from
the major HIV/AIDS medical conferences and a
new women’s group.
I am available for individual HIV treatment
counseling. I can also accompany you to your
doctor’s visit if needed. I am available to you at
anytime, even though I am only in the office
10-15 hours per week. Simply get a message to
the receptionist or to Darin, the peer educator
and they will get it to me and I’ll return your call.
I look forward to working with you all and
laughing our way to the best possible health
and wellness attainable.
www.aliveness.org
7
A group from Creatis, including Barb Smith at Loring Kitchen & Bar.
A family dining at Bar Abilene with Sven.
Than
k yo
e
u to e
d
a
m
ver yone who
All five Pizza Luces joined in again.
A group of ladies at McCoy’s have Sven join them for lunch.
A group from ROR Financial at McCoy’s with Sven.
8
612-824-LIFE (5433)
The Aliveline
Ambassadors Bruce and Tim welcome
Joe to Cafe Ena.
Ambassadors Saychay and Kelly welcome diners to Sanctuary.
Galactic Pizza’s Weatherman taking on Sven.
Life 2010 a hu
r
o
F
t
u
O
ge su
ccess
Dining
!
Ambassadors, Bill and Gregg, welcome guests
to Loring Kitchen and Bar.
Coletrane is excited to meet Sven.
I’m an ambassador at Angelo’s Pizza
in South St. Paul.
Jade, Max and Maya welcome Sven to Galactic Pizza.
The Aliveline
www.aliveness.org
9
Thanks, to all of our donors!
Thank you to everyone who gave financial and in-kind gifts
between February 12 and April 26, 2010.
ORGANIZATIONS
Now of Age Studios
Accolades Salon/Spa
Ordway Center for the
Performing Arts
Alexandra House
Azia Restaurant and
The Caterpillar Lounge
The Palomino Restaurant
Park Square Theatre
Ballet of the Dolls and
The Ritz Theater
Patrick’s Cabaret
Bibelot Shop, Inc.
Riverview Theater
Blackbird
Bloomington Theatre and
Art Center
Brave New Workshop
Theatre
Brian Graham Salon
Broadway Cares/Equity
Fights AIDS
Central Minneapolis Thrivent
Como Zoo & Conservatory
Paul Nelson Photography
The Saloon
Southside Farm Store
St. Joan of Arc Catholic
Church
Subo Restaurant
Target Store - Northeast
Minneapolis
Target Store - West St. Paul
Thrivent Financial for
Lutherans
Mike Debelak &
Janet Conn
James Kemp*
Phil Persons
Anne DeMuth &
Mark Hodge
Randy & Mary Klauk
Don Quaintance
Krissa & James Klotzle
Jean Radke
Lyle Kohlhepp
Kevin Rajotte
Hannah & Sam Kokesh
Susan Reaney*
Lindsey Kopp
Lee Reinharz
Edward Kulik*
Ella Ritzman
Joe Larson &
Charlie Jordan*
Inger-Lise Roberts
Nickey Larson
Demetrius Sanders
Allison Deyenno
Joseph Dobbert
Catalina Don
Doug & Ann Duea
Elaine Mae & Michael
Estabrooks
Max Fallek
Kevin Flam*
Gene & Charlotte Frampton*
Randolph Lasota
Kathy & Allen Lenzmeier
Jack Lewis
Eric Rodgers
Scott Schlaffman
William Schwartz
Cheryl Schweitzer
Kristen & Teri Frost-Tibben
Andrea Lien
Rob Gamble
Bud Lile & Randy Ingram*
Steven Garrigan
Brien Link
Tim Shafer &
Jorge Perales
Mats Sexton
Janet George
Jeffrey Lorch
Kevin Shaw
Tom Conlon Photography
Raymond Gooderl
Craig & Nancy Maehling
Linda Slarks
Treasure Island Resort
and Casino
Patti Hague &
Barbara E. Merrill
Tim Marburger
Barbara Smith
Guthrie Theater
Twin City Attorneys, PA
Sandra Hall
Joseph Smith
Haskell’s - The Wine People
Signe & Edward Martell
Walk to End Hunger
Brennan Hannon
Emily McGlynn
Keith Smith
Hennepin Theatre Trust
Melinda McGowan
Terry & Marylou Steeden
Mary McGraw*
Sheila Summerfield
Anne McManus
Gretchen Switalski
Roxy Metz
Steven Thompson
Laura Migliorino
Tim Tormoen*
Karyn Milos
Danielle Trovato
Anna Min
Tony Tuchscher &
James Klahr
Floral Logic
Gray’s Leather
Hennepin Theatre Trust
INDIVIDUALS
David Hanson*
Lys Akerman
David Hanson &
Ivars Edens*
Steve & Annette Alderson
Anne Hanzel
Stan Atkinson
Robert Hassen
Ichiban Japanese Steak
House
Michael Bahr
Paul Hebert
Imperial Court of
Minnesota
Terry Baker
Frank & Jane Hennessy*
Kirk Ballard & Tim Dordell
Dr. Keith Henry &
Carol Nelson
History Theatre
House of Henning
IBM Employee Services
Center
Longfellow Grill
Lutheran Church of Christ
the Redeemer
Malt Shop
Minneapolis Institute of Arts
Minneapolis Musical
Theatre
Robert Barnett
Al & Darlene Bertke
David Bjork &
Jeff Bengtson
Kevin Boedigheimer*
William & Rita Bourne
Doug Bruska
Minnesota AIDS Project
Fran Buesgens
Minnesota Dance Theatre
and The Dance Institute
Roberta Byrd
Minnesota Opera
Marianne Carolan
Minnesota Twins Baseball
Club
James Carroll
Mixed Blood Theatre
Mount Olive Lutheran
Church
10
Ronald Carlson
Gary Christensen
Neena Cohen
Philip Cooper
Andrew Momont &
Kim Langness*
Dong Tuong
Aaron Monson
Kathy Vader*
Meghan & Joel Moore
Rev. Gordon Vogt
Charlotte Moses
Carol Waldoch
Ron Mugge
Carolyn Walters
Helen Nelson
Marcus Waterbury
Gary Wieser
Mark Hooker
Robert & Mary Ann
Olander
Mike & Christina Huck
Evelyn R. & Lynn Olson
Frank Olson
Daniel Wolter
Carla Januska
Suzanne Jebe
Richard Olson &
Rob Rodgers
Fredrick Hey, Jr.
Rory & Trina Hokens
Mark Holmberg &
Doug Nelson
Bertine Holmboe &
Jenni Ripley*
Ron Joki
Heidi Joos
Joyce & Warren Kapsner
Elaine Keefe
612-824-LIFE (5433)
Mark Owens
Sara Owens & Pete Keenan
Kerry & Doug Panner
Shari Wojtowicz-Shalwig
Becky Zeilinger
*Denotes Friends of
Aliveness Program
donors, who pledge
monthly gifts. Charles Parker
The Aliveline
Volunteer Spotlight
Willa keeps a busy schedule not only volunteering twice a
week with The Aliveness Project but also taking classes at
the U of MN and working in her family’s south Minneapolis
business, Mother Earth Gardens. Why does she choose
to volunteer with us? Simply put, “Volunteering with The
Aliveness Project is AWESOME!”
After a few years of dining out with her family Willa Pelini
decided it was time to step up and volunteer. The South
High School Senior has not only jumped into volunteering
with both feet, she has involved her family and a number
of classmates, many of whom are serving as first-time
Ambassadors this year!
Photo caption: Willa Pelini sharing some tulips from Mother
Earth Gardens with another volunteer.
The Minnesota Work Incentives
Connection can help you understand
how work affects:
A Message
from Ty
On April 12th, I went
to the Social Work Day
at the Capitol. There
were over 600 social
workers and students
partaking in a couple
of sessions about policies that are trying to get
passed and a protest to the Capitol from the
History Center. I saw many of my colleagues
and friends from various universities and
agencies. I had planned on meeting with my
legislator from my district, however she was
unavailable.
I want to take this time to also thank Aliveness
Project for the internship opportunity. I have
been able to work and learn here for the
whole school year and directly practice. I truly
appreciate learning from my case management
supervisor, Johnny, as well as all of the
members and staff. I will be graduating in May
and be moving back to the Chicago-land area.
Thanks again and I will keep in touch!
The Aliveline
Willa pounces creatively on each task, exemplifying some
of the best features of youthful volunteers: can-do attitude,
creativity, and confidence. We’ll miss her after she leaves
to begin her culinary studies both locally and in France
focused on creating amazing pastries. In the meanwhile,
she continues to enthusiastically plug Dining Out for Life.
“It’s the best fundraiser in the Twin Cities because you get
to eat out AND help a community in need”. In deed, two of
Willa’s favorite things.
• SSI —Supplemental Security Income
• SSDI — Social Security Disability Insurance
• Health Insurance — Medical Assistance, Medicare,
other health programs
• Food Support
• Subsidized Housing
• Other Government Benefits — MSA, GA, MFIP, VA
Please call Jen Harker at 651-632-5118
if you have questions today.
If you prefer to meet with someone in person, Jen
will be at the Aliveness Project on May 26th, and
June 30th. She will be in the lunch room from 12:00 –
1:30 PM to answer your questions. She can provide
you with information that will help you to understand:
• if you would be better off working than not working
• if you would lose health care coverage if you work
• the government rules about
work and benefits
www.aliveness.org
11
May/June 2010
730 East 38th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55407
Change Service Requested
Nonprofit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Minneapolis, MN
Permit No. 3134
Thanks to everyone who
participated in Dining Out For Life!
This year’s
Red Ribbon
Ride will
take place
July 15 -18.
SUPPORT OUR TEAM! Visit www.redribbonride.org